Our deal, once thwarted by opposition, Congress ‘subtly’ tells Obama

The sources said the Congress leaders “subtly pointed out” to Obama that while the UPA government had been committed to operationalising the nuclear deal, an impediment had come in the form of domestic opposition, making it clear that the roadblocks had been created by the then opposition BJP. “There was a frank exchange of views on this front,” Sharma said.

The sources said Obama praised Singh during the meeting, even referring to the fact that he as finance minister was the original architect of the India’s economic reforms. Singh, the sources said, replied that he was committed to reforms with a human face and economic growth and development which is inclusive. He said that was necessary in a country like India where tens of millions of people still live under the margin of subsistence.

Obama and the Congress delegation also discussed Indo-US cooperation in other areas. Sharma said the meeting went “very well” and called the exchange of views “very positive”.

Sharma was critical of the Modi government for trumpeting that it had broken the stalemate over the nuclear deal. “The Prime Minister yesterday called the 2008 agreement transformative. For the BJP at that time, it was surrendering of the national sovereignty and national interests. It is very clear. Without saying it in so many words, it is in effect admission of a mistake and a course correction,” he said.